The Economic Times, 15 Oct, 2010
PTI
NEW DELHI: The Allahabad High Court verdict on the Ayodhya dispute constitutes a "dangerous precedent" which can be used against vulnerable groups, eminent civil society members and academicians said here today.
Addressing mediapersons after a day-long conference on 'Repercussions of the Ayodhya judgement and possible civil society intervention', the group, comprising activist Shabnam Hashmi , advocate Anupam Gupta and historian professor Paniker among others, were unanimous in conveying their "dismay over the verdict".
"The meeting was of the opinion that the verdict constitutes a dangerous precedent, which can be used against vulnerable groups. We are dismayed over it," Gupta, who was the standing council for the Liberhann Commission which probed the Babri masjid demolition, for eight years, said.
Speaking about the Archaeological Society of India's (ASI) report on the excavations conducted at the disputed site twice and its findings, which the full bench of the Allahabad High Court has used, he said, "The report clearly has the print and stamp of the then BJP government in power. Archaeology was misused by the BJP regime".
He also slammed the excavations conducted and claimed it completely lacked scientific rigour and professional credibility.
The group said they would hold public meetings in different part of the country over the issue.
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